Delhi’s maiden Night Bazaar to come up in Connaught Place parking lots: NDMC

January 11, 2026

New Delhi: Following global nightlife trends, Delhi’s NDMC Smart City is all set to launch its maiden ‘Night Bazaar’ in Connaught Place parking lots before March-end, offering a flea market experience matching Thailand’s Chatuchak or Canada’s Richmond Night Market, an official said on Sunday.

“The groundwork is complete and the NDMC Night Bazaar will be thrown open within FY 2025–26. Shoppers will be able to enjoy the experience till 1 a.m.,” an NDMC official said.

New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Chairperson Keshav Chandra and Vice-Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal, while presenting the annual Budget, reiterated the civic agency’s commitment to urban transformation aligned with Vision@2047 and future-ready infrastructure.

Global-Style Night Shopping in the Heart of Delhi

The Night Bazaar is being pitched as a major leap in the capital’s ambition to create global-standard public spaces, offering a relaxed, safe and pedestrian-friendly shopping experience in the central business district late into the night.

With a focus on attracting tourists, NDMC’s blueprint draws inspiration from iconic night markets across the world, including Taman Connaught Night Market (Malaysia), Marrakech Night Market (Morocco), Forodhani Gardens (Tanzania), Huaxi Street (Taiwan), Temple Street (Hong Kong) and Bugis Street Market (Singapore).

Why Connaught Place Parking Lots Were Chosen

The Night Bazaar concept has been discussed in Delhi for over a decade, with earlier attempts at Dilli Haat (INA), Nehru Place and even the abandoned Super Bazar building in Connaught Circus. However, those plans never materialised.

Officials said Connaught Place parking lots were selected as they best align with global flea market formats, which are typically spread across open ground-level spaces for night shoppers.

Temporary Set-Up, No Permanent Construction

There will be no permission for permanent structures at the site. Instead, the Night Bazaar will feature dozens of tents and fabric canopies, maintaining the temporary and flexible nature of a flea market, officials said.

Following the site’s selection, NDMC did not renew contracts of private vendors managing these parking lots, with plans to convert them into makeshift late-night shopping zones.

Boost from Night-Shift Work Notification

NDMC Smart City officials believe the project will benefit from the Delhi government’s recent notification allowing shops and commercial establishments to operate in night shifts. This was enabled through modifications in the Delhi Shops and Establishment Act, 1954, paving the way for extended business hours.

Tourism, Revenue and Local Trade in Focus

Apart from enhancing Delhi’s nightlife, the Connaught Place Night Bazaar is expected to boost NDMC’s revenue while promoting local trade and small businesses. Better commercial utilisation of civic assets remains a priority for the Smart City team, as highlighted by NDMC Chairperson Keshav Chandra.